<p>First published anonymously in 1678, Madame de Lafayette is generally believed to be the author behind &ldquo;The Princess of Cleves&rdquo;. Set between October 1558 and November 1559 at the royal court of Henry II of France, the novel is concerned with Mademoiselle de Chartres, a sheltered heiress who is brought to the court by her mother to find her a proper husband. This soon to be princess will find herself caught between her duty as a wife and her untimely love for another man. &ldquo;The Princess of Cleves&rdquo; is one of the great classics of French literature, known for its remarkable historical accuracy. The novel which is not only highly evocative of a past era marked a major turning point in world literature. Up to then novels had been highly romanticized whereas &ldquo;The Princess of Cleves&rdquo; is noted for having a highly realistic plot with deeply introspective characters. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.</p>